Governance Lead

Role Overview

The Governance Lead will be responsible for shaping, rolling out, and continuously improving the organization’s corporate governance structure. This position ensures that governance practices remain aligned with ISO 37000, ISO 37301, and the relevant Saudi regulatory environment. The role acts as the in-house authority on governance design, delegation of authority, board and committee performance, and policy governance, while also supporting broader business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the assessment, development, and ongoing improvement of the corporate governance framework, ensuring it stays aligned with ISO 37000, ISO 37301, and Saudi requirements such as CMA, SAMA, and PDPL.
• Manage the Delegation of Authority framework for both Board and management levels, identifying missing links, overlaps, and inconsistencies, and coordinate revisions with relevant stakeholders.
• Carry out formal reviews of governance policies, determine which documents need revision, merging, or creation, and oversee the policy lifecycle from initial drafting to final approval.
• Maintain a policy register with version control, review schedules, ownership details, and approval records, while also driving organization-wide policy communication and acknowledgement exercises.
• Create and sustain governance models that clearly define accountability, escalation paths, and coordination across departments for consistent execution.
• Advise on governance arrangements for subsidiaries and joint ventures, including entity charters, DOA structures, and governance documents that fit the parent company model.
• Assist with governance documentation needed for subsidiary setup, licensing, and regulatory clearances, including WAFI license preparation and related submissions.
• Review and update charters for the Board, Board Committees, and Management Committees to ensure scope, authority, and governance alignment are clearly defined and consistent with ISO 37000 guidance.
• Handle governance-related queries from Board members, shareholders, regulators, and internal teams, prepare accurate responses, and keep a record of requests and follow-ups.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of a GRC technology solution for governance workflows, policy administration, and DOA monitoring, working with the GRC & Cybersecurity team.
• Track changes in Saudi governance regulations and convert new requirements into practical updates to governance policies and frameworks.
• Work closely with Legal, HR, Risk, Compliance, and business teams to integrate governance requirements into operations, programs, and decision-making processes.
• Prepare governance dashboards, reports, and updates for senior leadership and board committees, clearly summarizing issues, gaps, and action plans.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, or another relevant discipline is required. A master’s degree in Corporate Governance, Business Law, or an MBA is preferred.

Professional Certifications

• Certified Governance Professional (CGP) or an equivalent credential
• ISO 37000 / ISO 37301 Lead Implementer or Auditor certification
• Chartered Secretary / Chartered Governance Institute qualification is preferred
• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) is preferred

Experience

Applicants should bring more than 10 years of experience in corporate governance, GRC framework design, or board secretariat work.

Additional Information

This position is based in Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia and is a full-time onsite role.